Game apparatus



y 1960 R. T. CUMMINGS 2,935,323

GAME APPARATUS Filed Dec. 30, 1957 INVENTOR.

BY Robe/'2 [Mm/whys United States Patent GAME APPARATUS Robert T. Cummings, Santa Monica, Calif.

Application December 30, 1957, Serial N 706,094

1 Claim. (Cl. 273-129) The present invention relates to active games and more particularly to the apparatus enabling one to participate in such games.

The games which may be played with the apparatus constituting the subject matter of this present disclosure are many and varied, but only sufficient description relative to a particular game is herein disclosed to render the use of the apparatus understandable.

Briefly, the apparatus consists of a b ll having an anti-friction covering which is adapted to enter and be removed from a cup supported on the end of a manually manipulated handle. By this means the ball my be caused to roll across a surface by being guided by the cup or may be propelled to roll freely by the manually manipulated handle and cup, or the ball may be picked up in the cup by placing the cup over the ball and by quick, semi-circular rotation of the handle cause the cup to be disposed under the ball and permit its being lifted thereby.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts, I have shown one physical embodiment of the invention according to the best mode of manufacture I have thus far devised. It will be understood, however, that it is not my intention to be limited to the disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings, but I desire to secure unto myself the invention as broadly recited in the appended claim.

Like numerals are employed to designate like parts in the several views of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of my game apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal elevation of the cup and handle portion; and

Figure 3 is a diametric fragmentary cross section of the ball.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawing as shown, it will be seen in Figure 1 that my game apparatus includes a manually manipulated instrument indicated in its entirety by the numeral which has an elongated handle 12, at the lower end of which is supported a reticulate substantially hemispherical cup 14 which, it will be seen, is obviously formed from wire. It will be understood that other forms of cups may be employed so long as they have an opening or mouth substantially at the diameter of the cup and having sufiicient circumference to receive a ball 16 therethrough.

The mouth of the cup is defined at its diameter by an annular wire ring 18 to which is secured semi-circular frame or rib members 20 and 22, disposed at right angles to each other, that is, extending crosswise of each other at 90. Substantially midway the depth of the cup I provide asecond annular ring 24 as seen in Figure 2. The ring 24 and the semi-circular rib member 22 are removably applied to frame member 20 and ring 18. The semi-circular member 20 has an angular integral finger 26 extending from one end, and radiating from the cup 14. At its inner end it is associated with frame member 29 by means of a right angle bend 28 which defines a right angle portion 30 and the finger 26. It will be seen that the finger 26 is undulatory in configura- 2,935,323 Patented May 3, 1960 tion and is provided with a right angle lip 32 at its outer end, the purpose of which will be subsequently seen.

The hand implement 10 is provided with an elongated handle 34 which has an axial bore 36 at its lower end. The bore 36 at its upper or inner extremity is provided with a radial bore 38 communicating the axial bore with the periphery of the handle 34.

At its lower or outer end, a radial groove 40 extends from the axial bore 36 to the periphery of the handle 34 radially opposed to the radial bore 38 and spaced axially of the handle 34. As seen, the undulatory finger 26 extends into the bore and the right angle lip 32 is disposed in the axial bore 38, thus securely fixing the cup 14 to the handle 34, and yet permitting its removal by inserting a pin through the axial bore 38 to depress the lip 32 and remove it from the bore, thus permitting withdrawal of the finger 26 from said bore.

To prevent wear of the wooden handle 34, I provide a bushing 42 within the bore 36. The bushing 42 is relieved at opposed sides to communicate with the radial bore 32 and groove 40. To strengthen the end of the handle 34 against splitting or cracking, I provide a metal ferrule 44 encircling the periphery of the handle 34. The ferrule is drilled at 46 to communicate with the radial bore 38 as shown in Figure 2.

To function properly, it is desirable that the ball 16 be provided with an anti-friction coating 50 which is here shown to be a plastic material having a roughened surface. This material may be one of any number of things which present the least amount of friction on the members of the cup so that it may rotate freely thereon. I have successfully used a rubber ball having a plurality of very sm l glass beads adheringly secured thereto, and also a rubber ball having a plastic coating thereabout as shown in Figure 3, and in addition, a hollow plastic ball.

As previously stated, the ring 24 and rib 22 are releasably secured, and may be applied or removed as found desirable. When using the cup with a ball of small size which is apt to slip between the ring 18 and the member 20, the additional members 22 and 24 are applied. To reduce friction, however, they may be removed when employed with a ball of the relative size seen in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

Means for connecting a handle to a device having a projecting finger comprising said handle having an axial bore in one end thereof; a radial bore communicating the inner end of said axial bore externally of said handle; a radial groove in the end of said handle and extending from the outer end of said axial bore to the periphery of said handle; a metal bushing pressed into said axial bore; said bushing being relieved at said radial bore and groove; the finger of said device being undulatory and having a right angle lip at its outer end and a right angle member at its inner end; said right angle member being disposed in said radial groove and said right angle lip being disposed in said radial bore, whereby the device is releasably secured to said handle against axial and circumferential movements relative thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 534,996 Cundy Mar. 5, 1895 1,920,021 Schroeder July 25, 1933 2,093,737 Reach Sept. 21, 1937 2,094,766 Costello Oct. 5, 1937 2,159,446 Murphy May 23, 1939 2,249,872 Turner July 22, 1941 2,257,252 Vorbusch Sept. 30, 1941 2,432,570 Gorsuch Dec. 16, 1947 2,577,189 Hammett Dec. 4,' 1951 2,716,837 King Sept. 6, 1955 

